Office refits are a great way to drive business growth and boost employee productivity. With remote working becoming more and more commonplace, many businesses in London and the South East are choosing to remodel their office spaces to make them more attractive to employees. However, there are several essential factors to consider when planning an office refit which could affect its success as a business strategy.
Start by identifying the key issues within your current office setup. Take a look at current trends, and case studies of successful businesses that have adopted a certain layout. Might your employees be put off by…
- Insufficient workspaces?
- Lack of useful amenities?
- Clutter and poor movement flow?
- Temperamental technology?
- Outdated interior design that fails to reflect company culture?
Open plan office spaces with casual attitudes to dress and working style are already the norm among many top performing businesses, but engaging current employees with the planning process is what will give you the real answers. Consider their most common grievances and the amenities they’d like to see within the new design. Finding the balance between management’s visions and employee preferences is crucial for creating both a sense of ownership and an enticing work environment.
The ideas generated during this process should align with the company identity, and present the desired image to clients and visitors as well as current and future employees. While minimalist aesthetics are popular among London offices, there is plenty of room for innovation and traditional elements. Wall motifs, colour schemes and layouts can be used to reflect organisational values such as professionalism, creativity or transparency.
Effective uses of your existing space will depend on the business’ specific needs. Are there unused spaces that can be repurposed? Are meeting rooms, private offices or collaboration spaces needed to foster the growth of the business and its aims? Does the new layout consider the existence of power outlets and need for WiFi coverage?
Once you’ve closed in on your main areas of improvement, it’s time to narrow down the budget. This is also the time to establish non-negotiables, such as furniture or IT upgrades, alongside a contingency fund for any unexpected costs unaccounted for during the planning process.
Choosing the right team to assist with your office refit is essential to its overall success. It is important to consider whether your chosen contractors have the right values, skills and experience to get the job done. They can even provide insight on sustainability and future-proofing designs to set the business up for years to come.
When it comes to London-based refurbishment contractors, we can name a few:
For upscale projects such as office refits, it’s good to do your research in all areas. Taking a look at resources such as these can help you build up your knowledge, brainstorm ideas, and make informed decisions:
Is the rise in office refurbs a blip or a trend? | Deloitte UK
London office refurbs jump to near 20-year high | Construction News
My office is cooler than yours — London’s best workplaces | The Standard
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